L'arc de Triomphe

We did so many things again today, including visiting two cathedrals, and Le Musee de Louvre and L'Arc de Triomphe.  Since I don't know how long I'll be awake, I'll take one subject at a time.

Walking home from the bus stop after visiting the Louvre we stopped at a patisserie and picked up a spinach quiche for me, a roast beef baguette sandwich for Frank and a tomato and mozzarella salad to split.  We had champagne and enjoyed this picnic in our apartment, along with a perfectly ripe market pear and a small piece of dark chocolate.  C'est parfait.

We've had some great dinners at a neighborhood cafe, but really have not splurged.   We considered a fancy schmancy meal tonight, but honestly, did not want to spend the four hours of going home to change clothes, get to the restaurant and then eat.  There's too much to do and see, and we are quite content with "emporter." (take out)  Plus, there comes a time when I am "peopled" out.  After the Louvre, a quiet dinner was just the thing.

Across from the Louvre was a purse and luggage store that I had previously found.  Did I tell you that my suitcase broke?  The zipper was "iffy" at home, and destroyed when I opened it here.  So, we had to plan things just right to get this orange one home on the metro.  Long story short, that's why we came back to the apartment before our evening activity.  (no idea what I'm looking at in the photo.  Perhaps I'm delirious from seeing all the purses...)

Rives was an *amazing* store.  Did you know I have an affection for purses?  MAIS OUI.  Today I escaped with simply un valise.  (Purses deserve a blog of their own...)(soon)

Okay.. back to the story.  After dinner we headed back out, and took a metro to Place de la Concorde, and then walked two miles up the infamous Place des Champs Elysees - perhaps the most famous boulevard in Paris.  Even though our feet were screaming NON NON, we wanted to experience this lovely walk.

Here's Place de la Concorde.  A guillotine used to be here, and Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, among many others, were executed in this square.  The Obelisk of Luxor is there now - carted in from Egypt.  Of course I have to get La Tour Eiffel in as many photos as possible...

We carefully crossed the square, and started the walk.  See the Arch peeking out down there?

First there is this lovely boulevard, and then as you near the arch you hit the ooh-la-la stores and some nightclubs.  By the way, this is what street signs look like.  You can see that this street is in the 8th arrondisement, or neighborhood.

We came upon the Grande Palais along the way.  It is a magnificent and HUGE building we keep seeing but have not been inside.  Even with 8 days in Paris, there is more to do and see than is humanly possible.

We didn't go in here, but it did look interesting...

We didn't shop at Louis Vuitton, either...

Alas, this did not work within my souvenir budget either.

We DID, however, stop in at Celio and buy Frank a sweater and some shirts.  Now you're going to have to tune in to the blog tomorrow JUST TO SEE Frank in his French sweater...

When I finally dragged him out of the store (smile) the sunset behind the arch was breathtaking.

I had wondered HOW we would get TO the arch - remember the photos of all the traffic?  [In fact I read that auto insurance does not cover wrecks at the Charles de Gaulle - Etoile.  (the 12 streets that go out from the arch form a star - etoile)]  It's a crazy traffic place with no crosswalks.

There's the answer - a tunnel!  Those French, they think of everything!

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is below the arch.  Every day at 6:30 pm the flame is rekindled and new flowers are laid out.  In this photo you can see the restoration scaffolding to the left.

Next we climbed the 284 steps.  We rested in the middle, simply leaning against the wall.  That's a lot of steps, in a narrow winding staircase.

It was worth it.  The view is spectacular.  This shot is of Avenue des Champs Elysee - one of the 12 spokes of the star. (l'etoile) (and the street we just walked...)

Of course the most identifiable monument was my favorite.  I just can't quit taking pictures of it.  When I close my eyes at night I see it...  sigh ... j'adore le tour eiffel.

Speaking of closing my eyes at night...tis time.  Tomorrow is our last day in Paris (sigh) and we have quite the list of things yet to see, taste, and buy!

One of our unplanned stops on the Route 69 bus this morning was a lovely cathedral called Basilique St. Clotilde.   I've seen nothing written on it, but it was grand.  And empty.  The silence inside did me good.  Anyhow, eventually I'll post more photos,  but let me end with perhaps my favorite statue in Paris.  There is a lovely garden in front of the Basilica, called Square Samuel Rousseau.  Sweet playground, lovely flowers, and this statue of a woman reading to her daughter.

Doesn't it look like the little girl is thinking and counting?

I loved this Basilica, loved this wee gated garden in front, so off the beaten path.  It was worth jumping off the bus spur of the moment in the pouring rain.  By the time we emerged it had stopped raining and we could take these photos while awaiting the next bus.

As I prepared for this trip, several people told me to do the research, but to let Paris guide me ... I'm beginning to understand.  We've done just that.

Good night mes amis.  I promise to write about the Louvre soon!  xoxogjr